VtM - WhiteWolf: Genealogy

VtM - Review: Guide to the Sabbat
baby!"
Anyone else see the problem there?
The new Guide clears up these problems decisively and clearly, as well as providing wonderful tidbits
about both the future and the past of the World of Darkness. A better history of the several Sabbat civil
wars is included, and a discussion of how the Code of Milan came to be, and its ramifications. And what
about the issues of Lasombra and Tzimisce? Everything is not always as it seems.
The opening story, Smart Money's on Vegas, while good, is not nearly as evocative or as telling about
sect culture as the Camarilla one. It's not bad, just not as good.
The first chapter, The Sword of Caine, details sect history, structure, holdings, Clans, and factions. A
daunting subject, but the book tackles it surprisingly well. In the history section, we learn about all three
Sabbat Civil Wars, which are the reasons why the Sabbat has not won the War already, as well as how
each was "solved." Apparently, the Tzimisce "own" New York as a concession in the last war. An
interesting note indeed, especially considering the rumors regarding the Zantosa and the supposedly
diablerized Antedulivian of the Clan. The history section also ties in mortal historical events, such as the
Louisiana Purchase, which generates a much more realistic feel than many other Vampire histories.
The Guide, in addition to purporting the Tzimisce-Lugoj rumor first introduced (which is later expanded
upon in the revenant section in the back), we also get yet another tale of the fall of the house of
Lasombra. The Guide says that Gratiano (not some unnamed anarch or an Assamite) did the deed, and
then accepted an Archbishopric in the fledgling Sabbat. Questions are raised as to why Gratiano would
accept that, as well as why Gratiano (and his entire retinue) abrubtly disappeared from view soon after
the position was accepted. Lasombra conspiracy theorists, like myself, finally have some evidence to
point to, if extremely flimsy and unsubstantiated by anything. Then again, that is the best kind of
evidence for a conspiracy.
After the history section, the Sabbat's worldwide holdings and member Clans are described. Interesting
secrets and hints are dropped in both, and the Kiasyd, Harbingers of Skulls, and the Salubri antitribu are
all introduced enigmatically. Both of the latter new bloodlines have been written-up superbly and
evocatively, while the older Kiasyd have been redone to make them much less goofy and more fitting
with the mood of Vampire. This is also where the issue of the Tremere antitribu is dealt with. "Pillars of
ash with faces."
The organization of the Sabbat is detailed rather well, and the duties and responsibilities of each position
in the hierarchy of the sect are described. It actually begins to become a working group of vampires now,
distancing itself from past mistakes in publishing.
The factions within the Sabbat are also evocative, and truly provide a political backdrop for the sect
which was totally missing before. That lack of politics really detracted from the realism of the sect. This
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